I thought my latest build (250w cellman kit with 4lb konion cell battery) would be lightweight enough to satisfy me. It's a great bike for going 15mph or so. But it's a slouch on any 'fast' road (tailwind, slight downhill, or anytime you want to go above 18mph). It was easily 5mph slower than my road bike on a slight downhill, coasting on both bikes. That's horrible IMO. I can't be losing that kind of speed (and efficiency). I think it's due to the extra weight (18lbs more than roadie), and therefore higher rolling resistence (running 60psi 1.5in wide 26" tires). I can't run 1" wide tires with that weight. (can I? - not on less than perfect roads).
I love the stealthness of this bike, silent, worry-free drivetrain. But at 36v, it's too slow (17-18mph at best). I think if I go to a 48v batt and infineon controller, this will be an okay bike for commuting purposes. But it will always lack the efficiency that I LOVE about my road bike.
Now I'm thinking of once again thinking of going to an RC drive on a road bike with 700x25 tires. I need to hit this goal - to have an ebike that is nearly as efficient and fast as my road racing bike. I need that speed and efficiency, but with e assist. I want to ride it like a normal road bike without the power on and not feel slow. That's the holy grail, must attain it!
I've gone from currie motors, to geared currie motors, to geared hub motors, and now I think I'm ready to put the money into a superlight RC setup. This will be the sheet if I do it right.
I love the stealthness of this bike, silent, worry-free drivetrain. But at 36v, it's too slow (17-18mph at best). I think if I go to a 48v batt and infineon controller, this will be an okay bike for commuting purposes. But it will always lack the efficiency that I LOVE about my road bike.
Now I'm thinking of once again thinking of going to an RC drive on a road bike with 700x25 tires. I need to hit this goal - to have an ebike that is nearly as efficient and fast as my road racing bike. I need that speed and efficiency, but with e assist. I want to ride it like a normal road bike without the power on and not feel slow. That's the holy grail, must attain it!
I've gone from currie motors, to geared currie motors, to geared hub motors, and now I think I'm ready to put the money into a superlight RC setup. This will be the sheet if I do it right.